Kayaking Safety - The EssentialsWatch this short video to learn how youcan insure that your paddling experiencewill be relatively safe for all involved.Training Canoe Newbies Over the years, Cliff Jacobson has formed afew tests to get new canoeists ready to run whitewater rivers. Read all about them.

Alaska on the Home Shore - June 2003

Kayaking Alaska's Wild Shores
Imagine waking up to brown bear grazing on grass 200 yards away from your warm and comfortable boat, paddling with humpback whales, and witnessing the explosive power of a tidewater glacier. Well, that dream became a reality when we boarded the Home Shore for 9 days of kayaking and sightseeing aboard this classic vessel. We kayaked by day and rested comfortably by night. Great food, great people and the scenery and wildlife that only Alaska can offer!

Brent Vredevoogd, co-founder of Paddling.net, and his wife Chris were welcomed aboard the Home Shore by Capt. Jim Kyle, his son and kayak guide Ben Kyle and chef/deckhand extraordinaire Tara Zuluaga (aka. Galley Goddess). Also aboard this trip was photographer Gary Luhm and designer Suzanne Steel.

Our trip departed Sitka, AK first thing in the morning on June 2 and we toured the inside waters of southeast Alaska for 9 full days returning to port on the evening of June 10. We toured the waters north and east of Sitka stopping frequently to kayak, view whales and bears or hike on shore. We made a special visit to Tracy Arm to view an impressive tidewater glacier. We also made short stops in Juneau and the tiny town of Pelican.